Shoveling and loading apparatus.



w. K LIGGETT. SHOVELING AND LOADING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 18, 19.12.

Patented Feb. 4, 1919.

a Z SHEETS-SHEET 1.

. BE n 1 n 7743571439 aik v w. K. LIGGETT SHOVELING AND- LOADINGAPPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-18,1912.

\Pate mea Feb. 4,1919.

2 S,HEETSSHEET 2 T all whom it may concern:

work, and manipulated conveyer.

fl, til

s ns

-WILLIAIM :Kfrreenrr, or COLUMBUS, 01 110, ASSIGNOR TOITHE JEFFREY.MANUFAC- TURING COMPANY, 0F COLUMBUS, OHIO, ACORPORATION OF OHIO.

, SHOVELING AND LOADING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed September 18, 1912. Serial No. 721,025.

' Be it known that I, VVILLIAM K. Lioon'r'r,

' citizen of the United States, residing at Columbus, in the county ofFranklin and State of Ohio, have invented certain new andusefulImprovements in shoveling and Loading Apparatus, of which thefollowing is a specification, reference being had therein to theaccompanying drawings.

This invention relates to an improved shoveling and loading apparatus.It is particularly designed for the shoveling or picking up, elevatingand delivering of coal or other materials from piles on the ground orfloor surfaces. I

The object is to provide a-simplified, light,

but strong and durable, structure for this purpose, one which can bereadily moved from place to place, easily brought to its with readinesswhile being operated. I

Figure 1 is a plan view of a machine enfbodying my invention.

with a shovel plate rigidly secured to the inclined frame, an endlessconveyer. means for propelling the machine bodily over the ground, meansfor either lifting the front end, more or less, or causing it to movesidewise one way or the other, and a motor or engine on the main frameconnected to the The main frame is indicated as a whole by A. 7 parts.As shown, it has side sills (1) and cross bars (2) and (3) This frame isearned at the rear by a wheel support, there being two supporting groundwheels B, one on each side of the central longitudinal, vertical plane(of the rame, supporting Wheels, an inclined frame. a shovel frame Itmay be constructed. of any-suitable machine, and these are arranged togive it firm support and prevent it from being displaced laterally.'Preferably they are in. axial alinement', that is, mounted upon one andthe same axis. But there can be varia tions in this respect. They arenot track wheels but preferably have wide tires 'and peripheral surfaceswhereby they can rest directly upon the ground and can, travel freely inany directiomwithout tracks.

'Upon this frame and its wheelsis arranged an inclined frame C, whichextends from points at the ground plane, in front of the wheels B, onlines extending backward and upward above the wheels to points behindthem. This frame can be constructed in any suitable way; for example,with main sldesill bars- (5) and suitable cross bars (6). There shouldbe braces 1) such as shown extending from the main frame to and fastenedat. points near the rcarupper end of the inclined frame. On. the bars(5) and ((3) there are arranged sheet metal plates 7 having materialsupportin parts (8) which are extended horizontall and inclined sidewalls (9). 'By preference there are two of these sheet platesshaped asdescribed. one at each side of the inclined frame. The conveyer, 'to bedescribed, travels in the trough-like space formed by the parts'(8) and(9) and the sill bars (5). -At the center ofthis part of the structurethere is a connecting; and covering plate (11) formed of sheet metal andarranged in the way illustrated so as to form a' tight box which. willretain the material and prevent it from falling down between the twostrands of the conveyer.

At the lowerend the shoveling element of the apparatus is arranged, asat D. This comprises the shovel plate (12) and a carr ving andsupporting frame (13), both being rlgidly secured to the lower front endofv the inclined frame C. The shovel plate is preferably fiat and isarranged to have its lower surface lie normally inthe horizontal planeof the ground line, that is the plane where the lowermost points of thewheels B contact with the ground or general underlying support. Framebars (l t) give the shovel element Patented'heb. a, rate.

firm support, these being rigidly connected to the shovel plate and tothe bars of the uprising or inclined frame. The frame of the shovelelement has also an upper or top plate (15) secured to the bars (1%).

E indicates a conveying device by which the material,that lies on theshovel plate D is first taken backward therefrom and then carried up tothe inclined frame C to the points of delivery. It is an endlessconveyer, preferably formed of chain-links to which are secured flightsor scrapers. The chain is built up in sections, or sets of links, as at(16) (17) (18), which links are of the ordinary oval shape. Each set isconnected to the next by a scraper link (19), this being a casting withhooks (20) and a laterally extending flight (21) cast integraltherewith.

At (22) there is a driving sprocket wheel arranged in the planes oftravel of the conveyer E, and receiving power from any suitable source.As shown, the shaft (24) of this wheel is provided with a worm wheel(25) with which meshes worm (26) on a shaft (27) carrying a pulley (28).Prefera'bly there is a motor, electric or otherwise,

which is designated in the drawings at 4:1.

The belt connects the motor with the pulley 28.

On the shovel element there is mounted the guide or idler sprocket wheel(29), it being supported by a .pin or bolt (30) carried by theshovel-frame. It is so arranged that the chain and flights (21) movehorizontally along the upper surface of the shovel plate (12). At (31)there is a ver tically arranged idler wheel or guide wheel for theinactive or down-moving part of the conveyer, and at (32) anothersimilar wheel for the upgoing or active part. These wheels are mountedwith their axis near the apex of the angle between the rigidly connectedshovel plate or frame and the inclined frame.

The endless chain 'as'it passes the idler wheels at (31) (32). isdeflected from one line of travel to another line and yet the flightturn in thesame horizontal planes as the chains.

The diameters of the sprocket wheels (22) and (29) are such that thelines of the chain lie close in to the vertical parts (5) of guideway(7). The flights (21) extend hori- *zontally outward with their loweredges arranged to travel in contact with the horizontal part 8 of theguideway and also travel across the upper surface of the shovel plate12.

The top plate 15 on the shovel element serves as a guard to prevent thechain links from moving upward while they are traveling around sprocketwheel (29).

The shovel element is adapted to have a lever-like device attachedtherewith such as shown at (33). At 34-, 34 there are loops attached totheshovel, or a socket can be here thus permitting free and speedymovement used which is capable of having a lever situ ated therein andwithdrawn therefrom.

This lever has a number of purposes. The operative can grasp it andcause it to exert more or less of a lifting action at the front end ofthe apparatus; and this can be,d0ne when the machine is to be propelledforward,or backward for some distanceor to pass by obstaclesl It can beused for exeirting force laterally upon the shovel to cause it. to moveundenthe material that is to be shoveled and lifted. V

The parts of the apparatus are so related that when in operation thecenter. of gravity of the apparatus and of the loadis'well in front ofthe transverse vertical plane of the wheel axis; and consequently themachine is held firmly in position on the ground and prevented fromtipping backward.

But at the same time thedesign is such that the excess of load at thefront is not so great as to prevent an operative from lifting the frontend, or shovel end; up, to throw the weight more upon the ground wheelsof the entire apparatusto adjust it for new work or, work at a newposition. v

When the machine is free of any load the center of gravity is nearer theaforesaid vertical plane of the wheel axis and it can then be readilyturned aroundwith the wheels in any direction, or can as readily betaken.lbaclrward bodily or forward. w

By having the frame work mounted upon] two wheels and held throughout,in rigid tire apparatus can be speedily accomplished.

This is in strong contrast to the machines in which awheel frame ortrack frame and the inclined elevator frame are connected to-. getherflexibly or by hinges or pivots, as in such case the weight at theforward end of the apparatus is relatively greatly increased.

I employ also a power device for causing the bodily movement ofthemechanism. As shown it consists of a cable or chain having a hook,orequivalenhfor attaching it to some; external anchor.

The rope or chain passes across the plane of the conveying apparatus tothe under side thereof and is connected to a winder, This consists, asshown, of the drum 36, to

' which power is applied from a manual nae tor, such as a crank shaft(37 connected by gearing to the drum. The rope passesfrom the drum onthe under side of the conveyer to the forward side on lines which are between the inactive part and the active part o f-the conveyer and hencethere is no interference with the moving parts of the machine from thiscable or chain.

- In order to swing the apparatus around on the wheels as a'pivotalsupport, that is, in order to make the front part move laterally andthrust the shovel. under the coal, or

. relation thereto, bodily movements of the en are other material,.guides (38) are provided just in front of the conveyer in the form ofsheaves or guide wheels, which hold the ca ble or .chain in position,though permitting the front part of it to be deflected to the right orleft.

Although I have above referred to. one side or leg of the conveyer asbeing thedown-gomoving device is provided with a hook" or fastenerwhich, can be secured to an anchor post or equivalent stationary deviceeither on'the right side of the machine" or onthe left side, accordingstances. v

The manner of using the shoveling and to circumi. liftingdevice'abovedescribed will be readily lever 33.

understood. Assuming that it has a mass of coal piled on the ground oron the floor surface which is to beremoved or loaded into transported aconsiderable distance the weight of the-apparatus isthrown as much aspossible upon the two ground wheels B by lifting the front orshovcl endby the If it is desired to work toward the right the shovel plate (12)is brought near the'bottom-of the pile on its lcft side. The hook orattaching device (35). is then secured to a. post or anchor somedistance to the right. The motor or engine is then started and this putsthe endless convevcr in actionf. An operative by means of the crank at(373)causes the winding up of the cable or chain (35). This causes theshovel plate to mo*ve under or into the-mass of material which as soonas it falls or slips upon the plate (12) is caught by the travelingflights (21) which sweep it over the plate (12) then carry it up theinclined guidewav until it reaches the chute (39). which is arranged toguide it into the vehicle that. is to receive it.

If it is desired to attack the pile of material from the right side. themachine is suitably placed and the feeding device (35) with its hook isfastened to a suitable anchor on put in proper initial position, thedraft dcvice (35) and its fastener are carried for- Ward to an anchorwhich is directlyin front of themachine and then the action of thewinder will be to cause its gradual advance backward.

forward. I am aware that numerous mechanisms have been proposed, eachcomprising a'wheel supportinglframe, a traveling platfoi-m and inclinedconveying apparatus. Most of these mechanisms that have been made orproposed have been designed and adapted for use on tracks, which latterfie: the lines of travel of the wheels. Mechanisms of this class arenotadapted for use in coal yards or places where the expense andlabor-incidentto the laying or changing of tracks is prohibitive. Themechanism herein presented can be orthe left. or forward or backward.

, Again, in the mechanisms heretofore proposed,,the shovel mechanism hasbeen united by hinges. or flexibly, to the main frame or to the elevatorframe. and in most cases the elevator frame has been joined by verticalpivot connections to the main frame. 1 I provide a true shovelwhichisH-igid with the main frame or wheel frame and which,

no matter in what position it ma be put.

has the same radial relationships to the wheel axis. The shovel propercan be thrust directly laterally or forward into the mate rial andoperable in any direction except This-shovel part is in the lower-vmostplane and can therefore be caused to clean up the ground or floorsurface. lt fur nishcs the third ground support for the tcm. The partsare so arranged as to have an approximate countcrlmlancc in relation tothe main wheels. which largely assist in carrying it or adjusting itinrelation to the work to be done.

lVhat l claim is: v

1. A tracklcss portable shoveling and loading apparatus havingiucombination a horizontally, arranged shovel plate adapted to be thrusthorizontally under or into the ma terial to be loaded, two ground wheelshaving-thcii ground contacting points substan tially inthc' planc oftheshovel platc. a main frame mounted upon said wheels and rigidlyconnected to the shovel plate whereby the latter can oscillate bodilyaround the tlXlH of the wheels, while held in fixed positions relativelythereto. power devices mounted on the frame and adapted to swingthe'whccls laterally and move the shovel in cithcr direction sidewiseunder the material to be loaded. a backward extending supporting framealong which the material is carried from the shovel, and an endlesscarrier adapted to engage with the 'i'naterial on the shovel and carryit therefrom up the said inclined frame and deliver it. substantially asset forth.

2. A vtrackless portable shoveling and rcadily arid quickly taken fromone point to another in anvdirection, elther to the right as set forth;

Edit

stantially in the plane of the shovel plate,

a main frame mounted upon said wheels, and rigidly connected to theshovel plate whereby the latter can oscillate bodily around the axis ofthe wheels while held in fixed positions relatively thereto, means forapplying power to cause the said wheels to swing or oscillatehorizontally while carrying the shovel plate rigidly therewith, anupward and backward inclined frame rigidly secured to the shovel plateand swinging laterally with the wheels, conveying mechanism mounted onthe said inclined frame and shovel and arranged to carry the materialfrom the shovel along the said inclined frame, and power devices foractuating the said conveying mechanism mounted upon the frameworksupporting the aforesaid parts and held fixed in relation to the partsactuated thereby while they are, as an entirety, moving around avertical axis at or near the said wheels, sub stantially as set forth.

3. A portable shoveling and loading apparatus having in combination amain frame, supporting wheelstherefor, an inclined frame extending frompoints in front to points in rear of said wheels and above them, ashovelplate rigidly secured to the inclined frame and constructedsubstantially as set forth and having extended shoveling edges on linesintersecting the vertical plane of the wheel axis and with attaching.devices, whereby it is adapted to have a manual-lever-like deviceapplied directly thereto for moving laterally the wheels, the shovelplate and the inclined frame to-carr load to the shovel plate, and acon'veyer apparatus mounted on the inclined frame and shovel plate,substantially A portable shoveling and loading apparatus having incombination a main frame, two supporting wheels carrying it, an inclinedframe extending from points in front to points in rear of said wheels onlines above them, a shoveling plate secured rigidly to the inclinedframe and having longitudinally arranged shoveling edges, a conveyingapparatus adapted to remove from the shoveling plate-the materialreceived over the said shoveling edges and to then transport it upwardon the said inclined frame, power mechanism,- on, and maintained rigidlyin relation to, the main and inclined frames, and a power transmitterconnected to said mechanism for swinging the wheels, the shovel and theframes laterally in either direction, substantially as set forth.

5. A trackless portable shoveling and loading apparatus, having incombination a main frame, two transversely opposite ground wheels on themain frame adapted to move in any direction over the ground, ahorizontalshovel plate. rigidly mounted in relation to the main frameand having lateral shoveling edges on longitudinal lines, an upwardlyinclined frame connected rigidly to the main frame, the said frames, theshovel plate and the axis of said wheels being held in fixed relativepositions and the entirety adapted to swing bodily horizontally with thesaid wheels, an endless continuously traveling conveying mechanismadapteduto remove the material from the shovel plate and carry it up theinclined frame and deliverit in the rear of forward and laterally inhorizontal planes,

and formed with shoveling edges on horizontal lines" of the machine andadapted to slide over the surface of the ground and provide a thirdpoint of ground support for 'the frame, an endless conveyor arranged totravel over the upper surface of thehorizontal shovel plate and also onthe upward inclined frame, a motor on said frame for driving saidconveyer, said parts being arranged substantially as set forth wherebythey will all be held in fixed relative positions While the machine ismoving laterally and in operation.

7. A trackless, portable and shoveling apparatus having in combination amain frame,. two axially alined truck wheels mounted on the main frame,an inclined frame rigid'with the mainframe, a fiat horizontal travelingplate rigidly secured to the lower end of the inclined frame and adaptedto provide a third point of ground gage with the material-0n the shovelplate while traveling in one of the said planes and "carry it therefrom35-0 and up the inclined frame while traveling in thevother plane,

and power deviees for drivingthe said 0011- veyer mounted stationarilyfelatively to the; 7 ground Wheels, substantially as senb fcpfljri.

In testimony whereof I afl ix my signature,

